Georgian health authorities discussing reducing Covid self-isolation period
The meeting discussed the figures showing the Omicron variant of the coronavirus now accounting for 95 percent of cases in Georgia. The strand’s milder symptoms have meant an absence of a significant rise in the hospitalisation rate of patients, authorities have noted. Photo: Georgian government.
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The regulation for the duration of self-isolation period for Covid-19 patients could be reduced in Georgia this week, reflecting adjustments made in a number of countries to shorten the timespan, deputy health minister Tamar Gabunia revealed on Tuesday.
Gabunia said her ministry, the National Centre for Disease Control and health professionals would discuss the possibility of cutting the current eight-day isolation period, following an initiative by prime minister Irakli Garibashvili.
The deputy health minister said the discussion would involve international experience on reducing the period to five days, noting a reduction would be particularly relevant for local medical staff involved in Covid-related treatment.
We will discuss this issue further this week, and if experts support reducing the isolation period in line with international practice, we will make the relevant statement,” Gabunia said.
Several countries have already reduced the self-isolation period, with the regulations in England outlining five days as the defined timespan, and authorities in the United States recommending a rapid antigen test at the end of day five of isolation for patients, with a negative result allowing an immediate end to self-isolation. Photo: Government of Georgia.
Russian health experts have shortened the self-isolation period to seven days for patients showing no Covid-19 symptoms.
Georgia’s deputy health minister made her comments after the latest meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Council - the body tasked with making decisions on Covid-related regulations and measures in Georgia - where participants discussed the epidemiological situation in the country.
The meeting discussed the figures showing the Omicron variant of the coronavirus now accounting for 95 percent of cases in Georgia. The strand’s milder symptoms have meant an absence of a significant rise in the hospitalisation rate of patients, authorities have noted.
In total, 1,350,454 cases of coronavirus have been registered in Georgia since February 26, 2020.
The Ministry of Health has decided to shorten the Covid-19 isolation and quarantine period for fully vaccinated individuals who test positive for the virus starting Monday.
Georgia has reported 24,616 new Covid-19 cases, 18,221 recoveries, and 54 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past seven days stands at 31.86%. Overall 210,686 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Individuals entering establishments in Georgia that had required green pass for access will be able to enter the venues without having to present it, Chief of Operations at the Interagency Coordination Council Giorgi Ghibradze announced earlier today.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the government aims to extend the vaccination incentive programme, which allows people over the age of 50 to get a 200 GEL reward after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, adding “all vaccines available today should be used."
Georgia has reported 25,161 new Covid-19 cases, 16,789 recoveries, and 51 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past seven days stands at 32.45%. Overall 219,007 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Georgia has reported 22,444 new Covid-19 cases, 13,245 recoveries, and 53 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past 14 days stands at 29.93%. Overall 228,153 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Health authorities in Georgia have approved a move reducing the mandatory Covid-19 self-isolation and quarantine periods to five days for patients employed in certain fields.
Georgia has reported 19,968 new Covid-19 cases, 23,675 recoveries, and 55 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past 14 days stands at 30.24%. Overall 224,391 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Georgia has reported 15,712 new cases of coronavirus, 21,623 recoveries and 40 deaths in the last 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate stands at 32.85 percent.
A total of 190,241 individuals remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia.
The Georgian government expects the number of Covid-19 cases to decrease in the upcoming weeks and to see the general situation with the epidemic to stabilise by the end of March, the country's prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said earlier today.